Vancouver Island Branch

September 2009, Newsletter

                                                   Vancouver Island Branch

September 2009, Newsletter

From the President's Desk

Hope you had a delightful summer, the weather really co-operated.

After all the trials and tribulations we're going home to the Princess Mary Restaurant. We're happy and we hope you will be too. Helen and Mr. Lang are thrilled we're coming back!

We received from David Petitpierre a list of suggestions for Branch Involvement with youth.                           The purpose of the following suggestions is not necessarily for RCS Branches to involve young people in their programs, but for Branches to involve themselves in Youth-driven programs.

The idea is for the RCS to outreach into the community and thereby gain puplicity and recognition for the Commonwealth-related interests and activeties.

Panel Discussions/debates. Find out what high school and university students are passionate about in 'saving the world' (and Commonwealth-related) and organize public debates and/or panel discussions with knowledgeable students speakers such as politicians and academics.

Speakers Arrange for speakers from Commonwealth countries to describe/dicuss hot topics in their home countries. These can be at regular branch meetings. However we would encourage pre-puplicity in local media and invite outsiders to attend. (At a Vancouver meeting three female university students from Kenya, Uganda and Malawi talked about the situation of women in their respective countries. Their stories were eye-openers for the audience). Invite speakers, who have worked in Commonwealth countries to describe their work there.               Invite speakers from agencies such as Oxfam, UNICEF and local groups working in Commonwealth countries.

Receptions. Organize a welcome Reception for Commonwealth students at local post-secondary institutions. Invite local media and other Commonwealth-related organization leaders too.

Schools. Introduce studies of the Commonwealth in schools either as part of the curriculum, or in school clubs.(Many schools have United Nations and other internationally-related clubs).With Canada's multy-cultural population mix encourage high schools to recognize Commonwealth Day by organizing within the schools exebitions or performances of Commonwealth food, music, dance, fashions and sports                                                     Relating to the above start a local high school competition of recording the Commonwealth Day activeties in writing, through audio or visual means (move or photography) and arrange a well publicized award for the winning school. (Could post the movies on YouTube).

Special Projects. Support special local projects focused in Commonwealth countries. These could be Medicines Sans Frontiers or projects related to education, health, children, women  etc. (At one time the Vancouver Branch considered supporting a school in Kenja, identified by the Kenja Branch of the RCS. The school desperately needed: Electrcity installation at a cost of $17,000. Building a rain water collection system $3,400. Additional (outdoor) toilets for teachers, boys and girls $1,700. School library $6,800. Classroom desks and chairs $3,400.

Those who attended the RCS of Canada AGM in Montreal in 2006 will remember how one of the Youth Delegates, Kiri Campbelll of PEI, descibed how she raised $10,000 in one night for a cause in Swaziland by organizing a jazz concert in PEI.

Media. Hound local media with a) stories on local organizations/people involved with Commonwealth countries and b) meetings and programs involving the RCS Branch. 

Quotes by Lord Howell: The Commonwealth the ideal model for the 21st century. It is multi-faith and trans-continental, unlike other blocs. It embraces rich and poor in an equal relationship and of course there is a fantastic cement of common culture, understanding and values. All of these things make the Commonwealth the ideal model for the 21st century. It has to grow wings. It's under funded. It's underappriciated by many of its members. It has got to be a much bolder organization that recognizes its innate strengths. When I say grow wings I don't see why it shouldn't have a more vigorous foreign policy aspect, the EU after all has a foreign minister and an active foreign policy. The Commonwealth could have a similar kind of involvement. The Commonwealth could take a far stronger role in the whole development pattern of the globe. The Commonwealth is basically ready to take off it's just not being supported the way it should at present. It's got to raise its game. I think it could have associate members as well as new ordinary members. Some of the giants of the world are waiting on the sidelines, not to join I am thinking of Japan for instance (14% of the World's GNP) but they would be very happy to be observers and associate with the Commonwealth. It's an enormous opportunety wich we have to exploit.

Next Luncheon Meetings

Thursday, September 17th 2009, 11:30 for 12 noon, Princess Mary Restaurant, 453 Head St. Esquimalt at West Bay. Turn left at West Bay Marina and left again into the parking lot. Our speaker is: Colleen Henderson from the Ottawa Branch, the topic is India's 50 year advancement.

The High Commissioner of Malaysia, Mr. Selwin Das, will speak to us Thursday, October 15th, 2009, at our luncheon meeting, 11:30 for 12 noon, at the Princess Mary Restaurant 453 Head St. West Bay, Esquimalt. Cost: $20.00 per person all inclusive exept bar service.

Don't miss these outstanding events!